Zither-piano.



H. F. SCHENUIT.

ZITHER PIANO.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. I9. |916.

Patented Aug. 428, 1917.

, UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY F. SCI-IENUIT, OF PASADENA, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0 MARIE SEBASTIAN WUSTUM, OF PASADENA, CALIFORNIA.

ZI'I'I-IER-PIANO.

To all whom, it may concern.'

Be it known that I,- HENRY F. SGHENUIT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pasadena, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Zither-Pianos, of which the following' isa specification.

This invention relates to Zithers and particularly pertains to keyed Zithers or Zither pianos.

lIt is an object of this invention to provide a Zither piano which has a piano key action with Adampers and adapted to be actuated in .the same manner as a regular piano and with the same rapidity of movement so that the tones obtained by striking the keys will be clear and susceptible to modulation by the player. e

Another object is to provide means for individually picking the strings of the Zither and damping the action, thus permitting the operation to be continued with any desired rapidity without destroying the effect of the individual tones produced.

Another object of this invention is to provide a key mechanism and a string picking device which act in combination in a direct manner without the embodiment of complicated mechanism in their construction.

Another object of this invention is to provide: simple damper means adapted to be actuated simultaneously with the depression of a key and to be restored instantly upon the release of a key.

Another object isto provide an arrangement of the string picking members so that the'strings may be arranged in close relation to each other thereby producing a compact musical instrument.`

Another object of this invention is to provide simple and direct acting forte control means.

Other objects'will appear hereinafter.

The invention is illustrated, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 Aisa view in vertical cross section as seen through a Zither piano constructed according to the spirit ofthe present invention and particularly discloses the key and damper mechanisms.

Fig. .2 is a fragmentary view in plan illustrating a group of Zither strings mounted yupon a sounding board and iitted with keys Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Aug, 28, 1917 Application filed December 19, 1916.

Serial No. 137,833.

and actuating mechanism whereby each of said strings may be individually picked.

Fig. 3 isl a view in vertical section and elevation illustrating one of the Zither-picking elements.

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-section on the lines -lka of Figs. 1 and 2. of the actuating mechanism by which the forte of the Zither piano is controlled, the dampers being normally down upon the strings and adapted to be raised simultaneously from the strings by the knee of the operator.

F ig. 5 is a view of a modified form of the pick bar and a moui'iting for the obliquely disposed washer.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 10 indicates a Zither piano case which is formed in the conventici'ial shape of a grand piano. This case is fitted with abottom board 11 suitably perforated with openings 1Q to permit sound vibrations to pass from a sounding' board 14. mounted within the case and above the board 11. 'This board is of a desired and suitable shape to accommodate Zither strings 15 which are adjustably held thereover and bridge the sounding board between transverse bridge strips 16 and 1T. The ends of the strings are secured at the forward end of the Zither piano upon pins 1S while the opposite ends are adjustably secured upon tuning pins 19. Due to the compact arrangement of the string picking mechanism these strings may be arranged in close relation to each other and a wide range of tone obtained from the Zither piano.

The strings are indirectly caused to vibrate by striking keys 2O which are arranged upon the key-board of a Zither piano and are adapted to be actuated in the same manner as a regular piano. These keys extend over the sounding board and are supported intermediate their lengths upon a fulcrum rail 21 upon which a felt pad 22 is positioned to support the keys. A pin 23 extends upwardly through the fulcrum rail 21 and the key and permits it to have pivotal movement. The forward end of the key is formed with al counterbore 24 into which a guide pin 25 extends to center each key individually. The guide pin 25 extends upwardly through a felt cushion strip Q6 by which the impact of the keys is absorbed'. The rear end of each key is iitted with an adjustable rocker 27 secured and llongitudinally adjusted on the key by a bolt 28', extending through slot 28 and adjusted in vertical relation thereto by means of an adjusting screw 29. Mounted upon the end of each rocker is a pick bar 30 which stands vertically and is held by means of a screw 30 which extends into the end of' the rocker and holds the bar against a felt pad 31 interposed between the end of the rocker and the side of the pick bar. A leaf spring 32 is positioned beneath the head of screw 30 and holds the bar against the rocker in a yieldable manner, although it is evident that a coil spring might be used to advantage. A locating pin 322l holds each spring 32 against lateral movement. Attention is directed to the tact that the pick bars are staggered in relation to each other by means of' alternate extensions upon the rockers and in 'this manner may be arranged compactly over a sounding board. Each of' the pick bars is formed with an upper end having a diagonal face upon which is fixed an oblique leather plate 33. This plate extends from the side of the pick vbar and is fitted with an oblong opening 34 through which a guide rod 35 extends. This rod is held by means of a screw to a transverse guide strip 3G which extends the Width of the sounding board. Adjustably fixed upon eachr of these guide rods above the plates 33 is a trip finger 37 held by a set screw 38 and adapted to be engaged by the plate 33 to aetuate the pick bar to return it to its lowermost position without striking the string or interfering with its vibration. Adjustably fixed upon each of these guide rods below the plate 33 is a trip finger 37 held by a set screw 38', similar to finger 37 and screw 38, and adapted to be engaged by the plate to actuate the pick bar 30 to its normal position after the pick has passed downwardly beyond the String so that the pick will be ready to strike the string at the next impulse. The tension and friction is sufficient to hold the pick bar until positively moved by the finger 37 or 37. A guide strip 39 is positioned parallel to Athe strip 36 and supports a series of guide rods 35 adapted to guide the staggered pick bars. Brackets 4() are secured to the guide strip 39l and support a bar 40 carrying guide pins 41 which extend downwardly.

Reference being had to Fig. 5 of the drawings, it will he seen that the 'pick bar 30 is formed with an oblique groove in which the end of the plate 33 is fitted and glued. In this manner the pick bar construction might be greatly simplified, if desired. AA

pin 65aids in holding the plate in place.

The damper mechanism is comprised of a series of actuating bars 42 which have felt pads 43 extending along their opposite Sides and adapted to bearagainst guide pins 41 which are positioned between the bars. A pivot pin 45 secures each damper bar by a flange 45 to a rail 46 which in turn 'pivoted by means of pin 47 to standards 48 disposed at the opposite ends of the sounding board or at the ends of the treble. and bass clef. The flange is rigidly held on the rail by a suitable screw. Adjustably secured upon each bar 42 by'means of a screw 49 is a damper block 50 upon which a felt pad 51 is mounted to bear upon the string. The damper bars are actuated by means of damper lifters 52 which are secured at the end of each of the keys 20 and extend rearwardly beneath the forward end of their corresponding damper bar. A felt strip 53 is interposed between the end of the bar 42 and its lifter 52.

As a means for lifting the damper pads 51 from the strings, a level' 54 is vertically mounted to project below the case by means ot' a hinge and is adapted to be actuated by the knee of the operator. When this lever is moved it transmits movement through a push rod 56 to a crank arm 57 and from the crank arm through the roclvshaft GG to a crank arm 67 acting beneath an elevating rod 58 which in turn bears beneath the block 46 of the dampers within a counterbore 58 and raises them entirely from the strings. The spring 56 returns the actuating parts to normal position. This mechanism docs not affect the strings producing the notes from E-fiat to B-flat, inelusive, above the middle C. The dampens on these strings are only raised when the keys are actuated as it has been found in upon these strings, due to the fact that they are liable to produce harsh and shrill notes. which is obviated by the damping effect of the dampers.

When the Zither is to be played, the keys are depressed, as is common in all piano actions, and they will pvot upon the pin 28 to be elevated at their rear ends. This actiun will, at the same time, raise the rocker mountedy upon the end of the particular key and this will in turn move the pick bar up wardly in a substantially vertical line, at the same time causing a pick 59 rigidly secured at the lower end ot' the bar by screws 60 11o pluck the string, and as the nose of the pick passes upwardly by the string the oblique plate 33 will move upwardly and engage the finger 37 mounted upon the vertically extending guide rod This action will cause the pick bar to swing in the di rection of the arrow -aupon the supporting s crew 30 and when the key is released the pick will pass by the string without coming in contact with it. The pick 59 is cut" lift the damper bar 42 and this in turn will @MMM lift the pressure of the damper pad 5l from the string, thereby causing a clear tone to be made when the string is plucked by the pick.

It will be seen that as the key is released thel lifter 52 will fall to its lowermost position due ,to the weight of lead lugs 64 and permit .the damper bar and the damper pad to return to. their normal position, at which timev the tone will be damped.

When volume is to be obtained from the instrument, the lever 5i may be swung upon its hinge in the direction of the arrow HZP- and will in turnlift the damper pads 51 from all ofthe stiings, producing an ettect which will be readily understood.

It will thusbe seen that the piano key action here provided for use with a Zither musical instrument is complete, constructed of vfew parts, readily adjusted and easily actuated and that the action ot' the keys will be .light and may be repeated with great rapidity without impairing the quality oit tone produced by the strings.

lvhile I have shown the preferred construction of my Zither piano as now known to me, it will. be uniilerstood that various changes in the combination, construction, and arrangement of parts may be made b v those skilled inthe art without departing trom the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

l. In a Zither piano, a sounding` board, Zither strings upon the sounding board, a rail mounted to swing up and down across and above the strings, damper bars pivotally connected to the rail, dampers adjustably connected to the damper bars, keys mounted above the Zither strings and supporting the free ends of the damper bars, so as to raise the dainpeis one at a time by the operation of the keys, and means for raising the rail so as to raise all of the dampers at once.

2. In a Zither piano, a sounding board, Zither strings upon the sounding board, a rail mounted to swing up and down across and above the strings, damper bars pivotally connected to the rail, a bar mounted above and across the free ends of the damper bars, guide pins extending downwardly from the bar between the damper bar dainpers adjustably connected to the damper bars, keys mounted above the Zither strings and supporting the free ends oi the damper bars, so as to raise the dampers one at a time by the operation of the keys, and mea-ns for raising the rail so as to raise all of' the dampers at once.

3. In a Zither piano, a sounding board, Zither strings upon the sounding board, rail mounted to swing up and down across and above the strings, damper bars pivotally connected to the rail, dampers adjustably connected to the damper bars, keys mounted above the Zither strings and supporting the free ends of the damper bars, so as to raise the dampeis one at a time by the operation or' the keys, an elevating rod eX- teuding downwardly from the rail through the sounding board, a rock-shaft mounted below the board, an arm connecting the rockshaft to the elevating rod, and means for operating the rock-shaft by the knee or' an operator so as to raise all the dainpers at once.

t. In a Zither piano, a sounding board, Zither strings upon the sounding board, a i'ail mounted to swing up and down across and above the Zither strings., damper bars pivotally connected to the rail, dampers adjustably connected to the damper bars, keys mounted above the Zither strings and supporting the tree ends of the damper bars, so as to raise the dampers one at a time by the operation of the keys, an elevating rod extending downwardly from the rail through the sounding board, a rock-shaft mounted below the board, an arm connecting the rock-shaft to the elevating rod, a second ai'm upon the opposite end of the rock-shaft, a spring for holding the second arm to yieldingly hold the dampers depressed, a lever vertically and pivotally mounted and kadapted to be operated by the knee of an operator, and a connection be tween the lever and the second arm; so that by operating the lever all the dampers may be raised at once, and by releasing the lever the spring Will return the dampers to their normal position.

5. In a Zither piano, a sounding board, Zither strings upon the sounding board, a rail mounted across and above the strings, damper bars pivotally connected to the rail, dampers adj ustably connected to the damper bars, and keys mounted above the Zither strings and supporting the free ends of the damper bars, so as to raise the dampers one at a time by the operation of the keys.

6. In a Zither piano, a sounding board, Zither strings upon the sounding board, a rail mounted across and above the strings, damper bars pivotally connected to the rail, a bar mounted above and across the free ends of the damper bars, guide pins eXtending downwardly from the bar between the damper bars, dampers adjustably connectcd to the damper bars, and keys mounted above the Zither strings and supporting the free ends of the damper bars, so as to raise the dampers one at a time by the operation of the keys.

7. In a Zither piano, a key, a rocker adjustably mounted upon the key, a pick bar, a spring, and a screw inserted through the spring and Apick bar into the end of the rocker to hold the pick bar frictionallv pivoted.

, 8. In a Zither piano, a key, a rocker adjustably mounted upon the key and having a fiat vertical end face, a piek bar, a cushion between the pick ber and the end face, :t spring carried by the pick bar, and n screw inserted through the pick-bur und engaging the spring und adjustably mounted in the end of the rocker so as to pivot the pick bur in a substantially vertical position und under e desired amount of friction.

9. In n Zither piano, a key, a rocker ad justably mounted upon the key, a pick ber frietionully connected againstthe end of the rocker, a vertical guide rigidly mounted, two fingers upon the guide, one above the other, und uninolined plate fixed upon the pick bar between the fingers; so that when the piek bar goes up the plate will hit n finger und tilt the pick bar one way, and when the piek bur goes down the plate will hit the other iinger and tilt the pick bur the other Way.

l0. In u Zither piano, L sounding board, Zither strings upon the sounding board, a rail mounted across and above the strings, damper bars pivotally Connected to the rail, dempers connected to the damper bars, keys mounted above the Zither lstrings and supporting the free ends of the damper bars, rockers adjustably mounted upon the keys, pick bars frictionully connected :Against the copies of this patent may be obtained for ends of the rockers, vertical guides rigidly mounted, two fingers upon each guide, inclined plates fixed upon the pick bars and between the fingers, and picks upon the pick bars; so that when a key is operated, the corresponding damper will be lifted, and the pick will engage the string and pass upwardly and be tilted out of engagement with the string and pass downwardly and be tilted back into normal position ready for the next operation.

11. In a Zither piano, a soundin board, Zither strings upon the sounding oard, a. rail mounted to swing u and down across lund above the strings, dzimper bars pivotally. connected to the rail, dampers connected to the damper bars, keys mounted above the Zither' strings and supporting the free ends of the damper bars, so as to raise the dempers one at a time by the operation of the keys, rockers adjustebly mounted upon the keys, pick bars frictionally mounted upon the rockers, means for tilting the ick bars, und means adapted to be operated) n by the knee of an operator so as to raise all the dempers at once.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

HENRY F. SCHENUIT.

ive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patenti, Washington, D. C. 

